BARRE TOWN — Gonzalo “Zalo” Lavin, 96, a longtime resident of Barre View Street, died peacefully in his sleep at the Berlin Health and Rehab Center on April 25, 2014. His family had been at his bedside.

Born Oct. 31, 1917, in Santander, Spain, he was the son of Francisco and Eugenia (Bordas) Lavin, the youngest and last surviving of 13 children.

In 1935, at the age of 18, he immigrated to the United States. Arriving in Barre two days later, he began a 44-year career in the granite industry. He began as a stonecutter and from 1947 until his retirement from the Colombo Granite Co. in 1979, as a plant foreman.

On Oct. 31, 1940, he married Valentina “Tina” Peral in Barre City. All of their married life had been spent in Barre City and later in Barre Town. She died May 8, 2002.

“Zalo” enjoyed hunting and fishing and had been a member of the Mutuo Inc. and the former Spanish Men’s Club.

Survivors include his daughter, Palmira L. “Polly” Wheaton and her husband, Richard, of New Port Richey, Fla.; granddaughter Vicki F. Corson and great-grandchildren Morgan and Kyle Lamorey and Matthew Corson, all of Northfield; sister-in-law Susan Pilette of Berlin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and his wife, “Tina,” he was predeceased by an infant son, Gonzalo Lavin Jr., and all his siblings.

To all the staff at the Central Vermont Hospital and the Berlin Health and Rehab Center, thank you for your excellent care and attention.

Our special thanks to his nephew, Gerard Pilette Jr. and wife, Carol, grandniece Becky Somaini, neighbors Debra Squaires and Jeff Martell, and the many friends who have helped “Zalo” since “Tina’s” death. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

His committal service will be held Thursday, May 1, 2014, at 11 a.m. in the Hope Cemetery in Barre.

Friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.